- Starc humbly defers GOAT tag, hails Wasim as the pinnacle of left-arm pace
Mitchell Starc became the most prolific left-arm fast bowler in Test history after claiming 6 for 71 on day one of the Brisbane Test against England, surpassing Pakistan legend Wasim Akram’s 414 wickets. Despite the milestone, Starc refused to call himself the GOAT, saying, “Wasim’s still a far better bowler than I am…he’s still the pinnacle of left-armers.”
Starc’s haul was his fourth six-wicket innings in four Tests, extending his pink-ball record to 87 wickets at 16.72. His performance again carried an Australian attack missing Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, proving he remains the spearhead of a depleted bowling line-up.
England fought to 325 for 9 by stumps, thanks to Joe Root’s first Test hundred in Australia, but Starc wreaked havoc early, removing Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Will Jacks, and Gus Atkinson, with Brydon Carse also caught behind. The Gabba faithful witnessed Starc notch his 18th Test five-for, highlighting his consistency and relentless impact.
Starc now stands 418 wickets, with Wasim tweeting his congratulations mid-game, underscoring the mutual respect between two of cricket’s greatest left-arm pacers. Australia will rely heavily on Starc to continue dismantling England as the pink-ball Ashes battle intensifies.
